US Eases Visa Bond Rules for World Cup Fans From Five African Nations
The United States has announced a temporary relaxation of its controversial visa bond policy for selected football supporters travelling for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, offering relief to fans from five African countries.
Nationals of Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia — all countries that secured qualification for the tournament — had previously fallen under a US policy requiring some visa applicants to deposit refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before entry approval.
The measure, introduced under President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, was designed to ensure that visitors leave the country before their visas expire.
However, US authorities now say exemptions will apply to football fans from participating nations who already possess match tickets and are enrolled in a special visa priority programme linked to the World Cup.
The waiver will also extend to official team delegations taking part in the global football tournament.
Mora Namdar, the US assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, said Washington remains focused on balancing security concerns with smooth travel arrangements ahead of the competition.
According to her, the administration aims to support legitimate visitors while preparing to host what officials describe as one of the largest sporting events ever staged in the country.
FIFA also welcomed the decision, describing it as part of ongoing cooperation between football authorities and the US government to ensure a successful and memorable tournament experience for supporters across the world.
Despite the relaxation for some football travellers, the Trump administration has continued tightening entry requirements in other areas, including expanded screening of applicants’ social media activities, even for visitors from allied Western nations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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